Bianca Bartz
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The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games kick off today, spiking global anticipation for the events and intrigue into China even further. With all the controversy surrounding the Olympics, particularly the protests in and around China, some are left wondering why the games are worth giving any attention to. Activists are suggesting people who want to support Tibet should boycott the Olympics entirely.

But don’t make any rash decisions.

There is plenty of interesting content that isn’t negative or controversial. Below some of the most fascinating elements, including fashion and high-tech performance clothes as well as live arts, architecture and design, have been highlighted.

In addition, the Beijing Olympics have been good for the people. When the games were announced in 2001, 6.3 million people were employed. As of 2007, that number rose to 9.4 million, pointing out an increase of 448,000 new jobs each year.

A city of 17 million people is trying to put its best face forward.

I was in Beijing last year, I know it’s a beautiful place. The streets are lined with roses—the people take pride in maintaining beauty for the public—the people are hardworking, Beijing parks are fillled with people of all ages doing Tai Chi in the mornings. Art is everywhere, and the Olympics are giving the people of Beijing an opportunity to show their talent to the world. As seen in the gallery below, they have done so through performing arts like dance, through incredibly detailed topiaries and worldclass architecture.

Enjoy the super gallery below.

Bejing Olympic Dancers - Tiananmen Square Performance (GALLERY)

Precisely a week before the 2008 Beijing Olympics kick off, a wonderful dance performance was performed in the infamous Tiananmen Square on August 1. The Chinese dancers were dressed in traditional dress,… [More]

Olympic Architecture

Architecture of Olympic Proportions - China’s Top 10 Remarkable New Buildings (GALLERY)

China is on a building-spree in Beijing and Shanghai to show off to the world when the host the Olymipics in 2008. Check out some of the hip new architecture! The Beijing National Stadium is the home… [More]

H3>Bejing Olympics Architecture - Herzog & de Meuron’s National Stadium (GALLERY)

Herzog & de Meuron are the architects behind the stunning new National Stadium in Beijing, China. As a follow up to previous articles about the so-called “Bird’s Nest,” we bring you new images from photographer… [More]

2008 Olympic Architecture - China’s Stadium Designs (GALLERY)

China is booming with new architecture and a mad scramble to get the city fit to play host to next summer’s Olympics when Beijing will host the XXIX Olympiad. The games are less than a year away (August… [More]

Mega Terminals - Beijing Terminal 3 is World’s Largest Building (VIDEO)

Beijing looks like they’re just about ready to host the Summer 2008 Olympic Games. At the very least, they’ve got the Beijing Capital International Airport ready to receive athletes, media and visitors… [More]

Beijing National Aquatics Center - Water Cube (VIDEO)

The count down to the 2008 Summer Olympics is getting tighter as the Beijing games approach. In an effort to prepare the city for its international tourism explosion, Beijing has been erected some phenomenal… [More]

High Tech Sports Gear

Air-Conditioned Sports Equipment - Control Freek Tennis Racquet (GALLERY)

Having a firm and tight grip on a tennis racquet is essential to good performance. If you suffer from sweaty hands, these innovative, cool Control Freek tennis racquets might be a good investment. The… [More]

Million Dollar Olympic Bicycles - Theo Bos Bids on Gold with Koga Miyata (VIDEO)

Dutch track cyclist Theo Bos hopes that a special one million dollar bicycle designed by cycle maker Koga Miyata will ensure him the Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics after narrowly missing out on the… [More]

Team America Olympic Uniforms - Nike Swift Suits (GALLERY)

Nike will be releasing its brand new ground, breaking Swift suits for the Olympics this July. Nike is marketing the product as a complete suit that includes socks and arm-length gloves. They have tried… [More]

7 Olympic Shoe Innovations - Tech Shoes Help Athletes Going for Gold (GALLERY)

Olympic athletes only use the best technology to train, and now the best technology is going into Olympic gear. The athletes will be looking for every advantage to get them to Olympic Gold. Here are seven… [More]

Shoes Made of Rice - The Secret to Olympic Gold?

The secret to winning Olympic gold may lie in an innovative new shoe made with grains of rice. The Japanese sneakers, custom made by Hitoshi Mimura, will be put to the test by United State distance runners… [More]

Performance-Enhancing Olympic Gear II - Nike PreCool Vest

Nike has unveiled the PreCool Vest, developed specially for the Bejing 2008 Olympics. The vest promises improved performance by cooling the athletes’ muscles before they compete. Studies show that muscles… [More]

Unisex Swim Suits - Australia’s Swim Gear For Olympics

Illustrating once again that the Olympics is all about the competition and not the sex, the Australian swim team showed off their gear today. The Speedo LZR Racer suits boast less drag than the old style.… [More]

Copycat Swimsuits - The Record Breaking Speedo LZR Racer Swimsuit (and Copycats) (VIDEO)

Speedo’s LZR Racer Swimsuit is already invoked controversy, with critics believing that the swimsuit is, “Too slippery when wet.”  In fact, officials at the International Swimming Federation (FINA) have… [More]

Olympic Fashion

Olympic Lifestyle Gold Shoes - Nike Limited Edition Metal

The Beijing Olympic games will be opening soon. Will you be wearing your country’s colors? Nike is counting on you getting Olympic fever for you feet and is launching the Nike Air Max 1 “Olympic Perforated… [More]

Olympic Fashion Spreads - China Vogue (GALLERY)

China Vogue seems to be having some fun with their idea of Olympic fashion.

All of China seems to be Olympic-themed and focused, so Vogue set up a fashion shoot to follow the crowd. The shots aren’t…

[More]

China Olympics Influence Fashion - Lucy Liu in Harper’s Bazaar (GALLERY)

Lucy Lui and Harper’s Bazaar have teamed up to put exquisite, luxury fashion in some ridiculous extremes, trying desperately to make an Olympic themed spread. She wears Versace on the balance beam,… [More]

Fashion Shows in Olympic Stadiums - Flojo Tribute Fashion Show (GALLERY)

To show her fascination with the 1988 Olympic running champion Florence ‘Flojo’ Griffith-Joyner, Joline Jolink brought her Spring/Summer 2009 Collection to the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium. Jolink chose… [More]

China Fashion to Hype Beijing Olympics - China International Fashion Week (GALLERY)

China International Fashion Week looked like one big publicity preview for all the glitz that will surround the Beijing Olympics next month. Nearly 40 fashion shows took place from 30 different brands.… [More]

Designer Swimwear Fashion - Olympic Boy in Esquire (GALLERY)

In anticipation of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics in China, the Olympics fascination is going strong in fashion magazines. The latest is in the July-August 2008 issue of Spanish Esquire which features… [More]

Olympic Editorials - “A Strong Look” for Arena Magazine (GALLERY)

In the past few months, we’ve seen an outpouring of Olympic ads and sports gear innovations. Not to be left out, Olympic fever has hit fashion magazines as well and inspired Olympic themed photo shoots.… [More]

Luxury Olympic Fashion - 8-8-2008 GUCCI Limited edition (GALLERY)

In celebration of the Beijing Olympics,, Gucci has launched a full line of red luxury goods. In total, Gucci has produced 8 accessories, each inspired by competitive sports. The entire line plays a numbers… [More]

Olympic Footwear - Nike Unveils New Designs for Beijing (GALLERY)

Nike has introduced its line of athletic footwear for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The magnificent black Equestrian boot was the first fashionable footwear to catch my eye… I want a pair… [More]

Celebrity Endorsed Olympic Branding - Nike Hyperdunk-Kobe PE (GALLERY)

The Beijing Olympics are fast approaching and sports apparel companies are gearing up for the frenzied, mad-crazy merchandising that this grand event always unleashes as kids and adults alike endeavor… [More]

Olympic Fashion - The Original Games Collection by Adidas (GALLERY)

A prelude to 2008’s biggest sporting event is the launch of “The Original Games Collection” by Adidas. The collection features designs that are highlighting the countries participating in the anticipated… [More]

Official Olympic Branded Products & Marketing

Ten Olympic Torches - Iconic Symbol for Sports Games (VIDEO)

So much of the Olymic image is tied up in the five rings and the torch. Accordingly, designing the Olympic Torch has become a designers dream. It is interesting to note that the designer of the Beijing… [More]

Olympic Cakes - Sweet Treat for Birds Nest Construction

Talented bakers in China have created this Beijing 2008 Olympic cake, complete with the five rings logo and images of the adorable official mascots. The background shows dancers in traditional Chinese… [More]

2008 Olympic Mascots - The Fuwa (GALLERY)

The 2008 Beijing Olympics have been enveloped in unending political controversy so it’s been tough for some sports fans to get excited. Putting those aspects aside, I really love the five Olympic mascots… [More]

Olympic Inspired Gadget Design - Bird’s Nest MP3/4 Speakers

I’m sure there is going to be a long list of Beijing Olympic-inspired gadgets as the August games draw nearer, but this one inspired by the Bird’s Nest is a good start. These cute little speakers are… [More]

Olympic Mascots - China’s Panda Idol

Make a panda (specifically one called Jingjing) an Olympic mascot and it goes straight to their huge black and white heads. There is no doubt, Panda’s are everywhere at the moment - a fact cemented in… [More]

Jackie Chan Sings Olympics Jingle - We Are Ready (VIDEO)

Comedian, martial arts expert and actor, Jackie Chan, is promoting his talent for music by singing a song for the Beijing Olympics. The song, We Are Ready, is officially endorsed by the 2008 Summer Olympic… [More]

Olympic Inspired Art and Product Designs

Olympic Basins - Roca & Mariscal Beijing 2008 Limited Edition Collection (GALLERY)

The 2008 Beijing Olympic fever has reached wash basin design. Spanish designer Javier Mariscal has collaborated with famous bathroom company Roca on a limited edition series of wash basins that celebrate… [More]

Miniature China Monuments - Beijing Lego Sports City (GALLERY)

This mini LEGO Beijing looks hideously complicated, but also captivating. The attention to detail in the China architecture remakes is outstanding! Of course this innovation comes from the legendary Brick… [More]

Olympic Coloured Dumbbells - The Weider Weight Set

Celebrate the spirit of Beijing Olympics and pretend that you’re one of the competing athletes with the Weider designed dumbbells! The 300 lb. weight set has ring rubber bumpers inspired by the five rings… [More]

Real Life Pinheads - Self-Piercing for Olympics

A Chinese man turned himself into a real life pinhead, not as a demonstration of mind over manner or some twisted form of acupuncture, but as a PR stunt to promote the upcoming Olympics. Dr Wei Sheng used… [More]

Beijing Olympic Art - Song of Sand 2008 (VIDEO)

Anticipation is rising in Beijing for the Summer 2008 Olympic Games, and that excitement has translated into some pretty unique art. Song of Sand 2008, shown in the above video, is a really creative project… [More]

Foliage Canvas - Art Craft On Leaf (GALLERY)

I really don’t know how this is achieved or whether these are real leaves but Art Craft On Leaf is magnificent. To be able to lay down a coherent, painstakingly detailed, attractive design on such a small… [More]

Olympic Fever Sparks Creativity - Chinese Cyclist Promotes Games

This Chinese biker took two months to convert his normal bike into the five rings of the Olympics. He will ride it around Yinchuang, China to show his welcome to Olympic competitors and visitors.
The 29th… [More]

Samsung P310 - Official Phone of the 2008 Olympics

Samsung is going for the gold. It will make the special edition P318+ encased in, what else, but 18k gold. There will more than likely be Olympic-related extras that come with this one such as wallpapers,… [More]

Olympic Topiaries - Beijing Garden Sculptures (GALLERY)

China is doing a lot to prepare for the Olympic games next month, including sprucing up the aesthetics of the city. These giant topiaries are a fantastic example of the tremendous effort being put forth… [More]

Beijing Street Style (GALLERY)

What do people wear in China? When it comes to the Beijing Olympics, that’s probably one of major wonders fashion conscious people from around the world have. To answer that question—and ease my own… [More]

Eco

Grass Concrete - The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Alternative Footpath Paving System

Next years Olympic games in Beijing China will feature greenery incorporated, environmentally-sustainable footpaths for the millions that will walk the Olympic Forest Park - the multimillion-dollar, 680-hectare… [More]

Giant Eco-Friendly LED Displays - Beijing Greenpix Zero Energy Wall (GALLERY)

The Greenpix Zero Energy Media LED Wall in Beijing was created by Simone Giostra & Partners and Arup and can be seen in the gallery. The gigantic LED wall, which is near the site of the 2008 Beijing Olympic… [More]